In what could be a significant move in the pursuit of a big payday, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has dismissed agent Larry Reynolds.

According to the Phillies, Howard, who won the 2006 National League MVP in his first full season, is looking for new representation. He has not informed the club who that will be, though he might be fortifying his camp with a higher-powered entity than Reynolds.

Whomever Howard chooses, the new agent can expect to deal with the Phillies relatively quickly, even though Howard will not be eligible for arbitration until after the 2007 season. Maybe he can get some of the cash the Phillies earmarked for the righthanded power hitter they failed to sign as his protection in the lineup.

Howard made $355,000 last season.

Though Reynolds’ website appears to be down, you can check out a cached version here.

According to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the only thing holding up Randy Johnson’s return to Arizona is the matter of how much, if any, of the Unit’s salary the Yankees will be expected to eat.

The two sides have discussed more than 10 permutations, depending on the finances. The Yanks may budge on the money to continue their recent quest to inflate their farm system. Among Arizona’s most advanced pitching prospects, the Yanks favor Micah Owings, and also Dustin Nippert and Ross Ohlendorf.

2 Responses to “Howard Poised To Cash In”

I HAVE BEEN A PHILLIES FAN FOR 47 YEARS AND RYAN HOWARD DESERVES ALL THE MONEY HE CAN GET. IF OTHER BALLPLAYERS LIKE DEREK JETER CAN GET IT(HE IS NOT HALF THE PLAYER HOWARD IS ABILITY AND PERSONALITY WISE) WHY NOT RYAN HOWARD? GO PHILLIES IN 2007!!!!!!!

There is, of course the small matter of Jeter having accumulated more than a year and a half of service time (and more than a few rings) before he got his monster deal. But I do take your general point : aging Phillies phans have trouble with the caps lock.